Public Health Nurse II

County of Santa Clara; California; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Santa Clara seeks a professional Public Health Nurse to apply systems-thinking from nursing, social, and public health sciences to deliver nursing services across homes, clinics, schools, and community settings. The role requires California RN and Public Health Nurse certifications, BLS, and at least one year of related experience.

Responsibilities include assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care; coordinating with health teams and community agencies; and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing required.
• 1 year of full-time Public Health Nurse or equivalent nursing experience.
• Valid California RN license and Public Health Nurse certificate required.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide nursing services and assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate care.
• Coordinate care with interdisciplinary teams and community agencies.
• Educate individuals and families on diseases and health maintenance.
• Assist with clinic operations and health screenings as needed.

Skills

Public health nursing

Trauma-informed care

Cultural competency

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Nursing

Tools

Electronic Medical Records

Job description

Description

Under general supervision, to apply systems-level thinking from knowledge of nursing, social, and public health sciences to provide professional public health nursing services in diverse settings, including homes, clinics, hospitals, schools, and community settings as required by the assigned program area.

Description

Under general supervision, to apply systems-level thinking from knowledge of nursing, social, and public health sciences to provide professional public health nursing services in diverse settings, including homes, clinics, hospitals, schools, and community settings as required by the assigned program area.

Typical Tasks

• Provides nursing services to individuals by assessing, diagnosing, planning for, implementing, and evaluating appropriate nursing care;
• Assists individuals and families in following medical provider recommendations;
• Participates in various clinics by interviewing and counseling clients in a clinic, homes, or community setting;
• Recognizes attitudes and cultural patterns that are detrimental to health and guides families towards desirable changes through a trauma-informed lens;
• Teaches and counsels individuals, families, and groups regarding specific diseases, health conditions, and health maintenance;
• Assists individuals and families to identity their needs and establish their goals and refers to appropriate community agencies and clinics for specialized services;
• Coordinates care of clients with other public and private agencies;
• Interprets medical providers’ orders and assists families in following these orders;
• Utilizes health literacy concepts to improve the public’s understanding of their health conditions, treatments, and self-care practices;
• Performs defined technical/skilled nursing tasks;
• Facilitates informed decision making and encourages families to identify the need for appropriate medical, psychiatric, hospital and other care, as necessary;
• Collects specimens from clients, performs medical tests and reports on test results, and administers injections and oral medications;
• Determines caseload priorities and performs ongoing and follow-up evaluation to determine effectiveness of nursing care plan;
• Consults and coordinates with interdisciplinary healthcare team members, community organizations, health agencies, and concerned individuals to identify community needs;
• Recommends long term program planning for complex health problems;
• Recognizes the current Essential Public Health Services;
• Maintains documentation and prepares necessary reports;
• May provide guidance and direction to community partners, health professionals, other Public Health nurses, and support staff;
• Attends staff meetings and participates in educational training sessions;
• May pursue appropriate job related educational courses;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required;*
• Performs other related work, as required.

Education

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through possession of a Bachelor's Degree, or Higher, in Nursing;
and
One (1) year of full-time experience as a Public Health Nurse, school nurse, home health nurse, community health nurse, or other relevant nursing experience equivalent to a Public Health Nurse with the County of Santa Clara.

Special Requirements

• Possess and maintain a valid License as a Registered Nurse issued by the State of California for the duration of employment in this classification.
• Possess and maintain a valid Certificate as a Public Health Nurse issued by the State of California for the duration of employment in this classification.
• Possession of a current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate.
• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge Of

• Principles, practices, and methods of public health nursing;
• Stages of nursing process and principles of trauma-informed care;
• Causes, transmission, prevention, control, and care required for communicable disease(s);
• Principles of case finding and case management in a variety of settings;
• Client centered care of diverse populations and ages in a variety of settings;
• Community resources and health agencies related to public health nursing;
• Use and effects of medications;
• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;
• Interviewing, counseling, and teaching techniques;
• Common computer technology, system applications, and electronic medical record systems.

Ability To

• Plan, organize, and carry out public health nursing services;
• Work effectively with clients and families to assist with satisfactory resolution of health problems;
• Develop and maintain effective public relations with community organizations;
• Assess and analyze situations accurately and take appropriate action;
• Maintain sensitivity to cultural competency principles that are inclusive and representative of our community;
• Collect specimens and administer injections and medications;
• Provide treatment recommendations based on current clinical guidelines and best practices;
• Prepare accurate reports and documentation;
• Provide direction to and train others;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift objects weighing up to 15 pounds, squat, bend, and climb stairs;
• Ability to work alternate shifts and/or weekends.